Robotics, Virtual Reality and Games

Weeks 4 & 5 – Dance Party!

Coding in Scratch is just like directing a dance routine – there are characters (sprites), costume changes, music and a vision to execute. Over the next few lessons, you will work to plan and create a dance routine project in Scratch.

As with any good performance, you need to plan your routine and warm-up before you take to the stage. Here are a few activities to get you started.

Create a flowchart to break down the routine into a sequence of moves that will teach another pair your routine

Give your flowchart to another pair

Follow the instructions on the flowchart given to you to re-enact the dance routine

You can use webspiration, an app of your choice or a piece of paper to create your flowchart.

Activity 2 – Costume changes (animation)

To animate sprites in Scratch, you need to sequence a series of costume changes.

Refer to the How to Animation in the Tips section of Scratch Editor.

Choose a sprite (an animal is good)

Add a different costume

Add blocks to make your sprite come to life

Can you make your sprite move faster? slower? in a different direction? upside down?

Can you keep your sprite on the stage?

Can you make your own sprite and costume changes?

Activity 3 – Build-A-Band (sound)

Add music and sounds to your project by coordinating your sprites with sounds.

Refer to the Step-by-Step guide to Make Music or the How to Music in the Tips section of Scratch Editor.

Choose a sprite (an instrument is good)

Add a sound block

Experiment to make your sprite make some noise

Repeat for two different sprites

Can you coordinate a number of different sprites so that they play a short piece of music? HINT: It might be a good idea to create multiple events (one for each sprite) rather than trying to make one large event or sequence of code.

Project 2 – Dance Party

Your task is to plan and create a Dance Party project in Scratch using the elements that you’ve now explored. Your completed Dance Party Project will include: